Elder

/ˈeldə/ · adjective

Meaning

comparative degree of old: older, greater than another in age or seniority..

Definitions by Sense

1. comparative degree of old: older, greater than another in age or seniority.
2. (card games) Closer to the dealer, i.e. receiving cards earlier than others.
3. A leader or senior member of a tribe or community, often of considerable age, respected as an authority figure, especially in a counselling, consultative, or ceremonial role.
4. (now chiefly US) An old person.
5. (relational, chiefly in the plural, chiefly with possessive determiners) One who is older than another.
6. One who lived at an earlier period; a predecessor.
7. An officer of a church, sometimes having teaching responsibilities.
8. A clergyman authorized to administer all the sacraments.

Example Sentences

It's typical for elder married couples to live in retirement homes.

The elder of the two was also an elder statesman.

She removed Stranleigh’s coat with a dexterity that aroused his imagination. The elder woman returned with dressings and a sponge, which she placed on a chair.

1923, Ernest Bramah, The Eyes of Max Carrados The deal fell to Copling and the automaton therefore had the first "elder hand," with the advantage of a discard of five cards against its opponent's three.

We were presented to the village elder.

At the friendship centre, you can arrange to meet with a social worker or an elder.

People saw in the elders, who were closer to death, the manifestation of the divine force that was thought to achieve its full liberation at death.

I probably wouldn't be here talking about this very topic if it weren't for the few but mighty elders in the tech and gender rights spaces. Folks like South Africa-based Jan Moolman from the Association for Progressive Communications[…]

Synonyms for elder

Antonyms for elder

Related Words

Word Forms

• elders
• eldering
• eldered

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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